1967
On February 21, 1967, Max Neuhaus realized a version of his seminal work "Public Supply" at WUSB, the radio station of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook. Work(s): Public Supply.
Public Supply (1966–1973) was one of the earliest examples of a networked acoustic performance.
Medien Kunst Netz
Neuhaus installed multiple telephone lines in the radio station's studio. Members of the home audience would call in with sounds—ranging from musical instruments to household noises—which Neuhaus would electronically manipulate and "mold" in real-time.
Live Broadcast: The resulting composition was broadcast back to the audience immediately, creating a feedback loop where the listeners were also the performers.
Neuhaus viewed this as a "sound dialogue" rather than a traditional musical product, aiming to break down the barrier between the performer and the public.
The February 21, 1967 performance at Stony Brook followed the world premiere of the piece at WBAI-FM in New York City (October 1966) and preceded a later realization at CJRT-FM in Toronto (March 1968).
Shift in Career: This work was part of a series of "sound-oriented pieces for situations other than that of the concert hall," produced between 1966 and 1968, as Neuhaus transitioned from being a world-class percussionist to a pioneer of sound installation.
WUSB 90.1 FM remains an active, non-commercial station at Stony Brook University, continuing the legacy of experimental and community-driven broadcasting.